Media Releases

We are thrilled to announce the attendance of the special Cathay Pacific balloon at this year’s event.
 
This will be a first visit for this balloon and will be expertly piloted by Hong Kong based Nigel Black.
 
Australian born Nigel is both an experienced airplane and balloon pilot and has been a senior training pilot for Cathay Pacific for 18 years. He is a member of the Hong Kong Balloon and Airship Club and has flown at many balloon events around the world. Last year he won the World Masters Cup in Saga, Japan.
 
As a senior training pilot for Cathay Pacific, Nigel still spends 80% of his time “in the air” flying A330 and A340 aircraft.
 
He says: “Flying a balloon is totally different from piloting an aircraft the size of an Airbus. It is affected by the smallest of winds and is more akin to sailing as you are completely dependent on the direction and speed of the wind. To fly well with precision and accuracy needs a careful understanding of "micro climatology". I love the sport since you are at the mercy of the elements but you can still usually get to within a few metres of
your desired landing point!
 
“Perhaps flying the Airbus is easier as we have so much technology helping us - and also because I fly the aircraft nearly every other day but only get to fly the balloon a few times a year!”